The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-30
READING FOR THE DAY.
Sunday-School Lesson for Fob. 6. 1887.
LoT's CHorcE-Genesis xiii. La

Sunday-School Lesson for Feb 6, 1887.
LoTs CHoIcE.-Genesis xiii. 1-l3
Golden Text-seek re first the kingdom Of God and
His righteousness. vi 33.
In estimating the life and character of many
of the Old Testament heroes we test them too
often by New Testament standards Moral
ideas and systems have their chaotic genesis,
their days of development and taking form,
their ages of progressive life before God declares
them to be very good We are now engaged
in the study of the Genesis of moral ideas and
conception of the divine character, as they show
themselves for the first time. We have the first
covenants. the first prayers, the first sacrifices,
the first acts OF saving faith. But they are all
in the root, and we may not in fairness compare
them with the perfect fruits Of our Christian
culture Let US in fairness remember that
Abram and Lot had neither 'sthe Law nor the
Gospel Such considerations serve to exalt
their virtues and to palliate their faults. The
deception and weakness of Abram down in
Egypt look cowardly and selfish in the light Of
Christian morals. Abram foresaw 1.-The day. Of
Christ and was glad. but he did not foresee the
high obligations of Christian love and faith any
more than does child understand moral phil
losophy in the law of the nursery. But God COM
tinues the same, yesterday. to-day, and for
ever" he keeps his part Of the covenant and
preserves Sarah from corcubinage in Egypt
and she lives to be the mother Of the chosen
seed"
The Bible does not hesitate to declare the seri-
GUS faults and failures of its great characters for
they contain the great lesson that these sad ex-
periences. as St Augustine says, may be made
the rounds Of a ladder by which we may attain
far higher things, if we use these sins as we do
the rounds, by putting them under our feet
There are too many Christians who fol-
low Abram down into some Egypt Of
ease and luxury, whose lives violations OF
their Christian and church VOWS. It would be
a grand thing If the people of the world would
initiate the King of Egypt, and rebuke these in
consistent professors and send them where they
belong--from the theater and the dance to the
prayer Getting and the work for souls.
From this time we have many trustworthy
records and much reliable history Of the nations
around the people of Israel. and very much light
| from them to confirm and explain the Bibld.
| And from these sources we shall naturally draw
| such material as will help US a wider clear
| er understanding of the inspired word.
SPECIAL. APPLICATIONS.
| l. Up out of Egypt The watchword for
every praye-ful heart entangled in the things Of
| this world. Es-----
| q Unto the place of the altar. This is the
| only safe place for the wanderer, and God will
| renew there his covenants.
| B. They could not dwell together. There are
no strifes so bitter cruel az those having re-
| llgious element. or between those who have once
| been intimate friends. But most fortunately
| God can dwell with those we cannot live with.
Brethren had better separate than remain and
| quarrel
4 Let there be no strife There should be
| none between brethren. Blessed are the peace
makers.
5. If thou wilt take the left will 90 to the
| right. There is so much room for personal Wortf
there should be no time for controversy.